EURL ECVAM is an integral part of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the science and knowledge service of the European Commission. It is located at the JRC site in Ispra, Italy. What we do For over 30 years, the JRC has been working on the 'Three Rs' – the Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of animal experiments. The mandate of EURL ECVAM is set out in the EU legislation on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes and includes a number of dutiesresearch and development, supported through collaboration with EU and international research initiativesvalidation of alternative methods for the safety assessment of chemicalsdissemination of information and sharing of knowledge on the Three Rspromotion of the Three Rs and non-animal approaches in science Find out about our work Discover our laboratory and meet molecular biologist, Raffaella Corvi Our activitiesMethod validationFind out about the validation process, validated test methods, how to submit a test method and much more.Biomedical researchRead our reviews on emerging non-animal models used for research in different disease areas.Three Rs in educationDiscover our education and training activities targeting secondary schools, universities and professional development.Knowledge sharingAdvancing alternative approaches through better knowledge sharing. Be part of the Three Rs knowledge community!Roadmap towards phasing out animal testing The work of EURL ECVAM is supporting the development and implementation of the roadmap towards phasing out animal testing for chemical safety assessments.EURL ECVAM’s laboratory facilityWe have an extensive experimental facility used for the development, validation and standardisation of in vitro methods. NewsRoadmap towards phasing out animal testing for chemical safety assessments On 1 June 2026, the European Commission presented a roadmap towards phasing out animal testing for chemical safety assessments, which lays out clear, tangible steps to ensure the transition to innovative non-animal approaches.EURL ECVAM Status Report 2025The 2025 EURL ECVAM Status Report charts major progress of EU efforts towards replacing, reducing and refining (3Rs) animal testing with new approach methodologies (NAMs) across research and regulation.New 3Rs learning scenario - take your students inside a virtual cell culture lab!EURL ECVAM together with Scientix has developed a new learning scenario to bring the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) of animal use in science into secondary school classrooms across Europe, giving students a hands-on intro to the future of biomedical research.Transforming chemical safety assessment for better health protectionJRC is contributing to the development of a modernised, science-based approach to identifying the potential of chemicals to cause cancer. The aim is clear: better protection of human health, while reducing reliance on animal testing. Biomedical Models Hub - the largest dataset of human biology-based modelsBiomedical Models Hub (BimmoH) for evidence-based decisionThanks to data-driven AI techniques, hundreds of thousands of resources are now available to help enhance biomedical research through cutting-edge human biology-based models, accelerating innovation and reducing reliance on animal testing. An open webinar took place in February 2026 on the Biomedical Models Hub (BimmoH) approach, use cases and community Q&A. Focusing on a comprehensive dataset of scientific articles utilising human biology-based models, such as organ-on-a-chip technologies, 3D cell cultures, and computational models, aimed at facilitating more human-relevant biomedical research. The recording is now available. Open callsApplications for the selection of members of ESAC sub-groupsOn the 25th of October 2022, the JRC launched a continuously open call for applications for the selection of members of the sub-groups operating under the ESAC. FeaturedREVIEWJRC review of models and methods used in cardiovascular researchThe review brings together experts and evidence with the aim to improve research outcomes, reduce animal experiments and promote non-animal approaches.PUBLICATIONESAC Opinion on the Scientific Validity of the RS Comet and RSMN Test MethodsThe EURL ECVAM Scientific Advisory Committee (ESAC) released a new opinion confirming the scientific validity of the Reconstructed human Skin (RS) Comet and Micronucleus (MN) in vitro test methods for genotoxicity assessment.EDUCATIONAL RESOURCEEURL ECVAM Lab - Virtual RealityEURL ECVAM has developed an open access Virtual Reality (VR) teaching resource to support 3Rs (reduction, replacement and refinement) education for high school students. The tool aims to promote alternatives to animal testing in an interactive manner.NEWS ANNOUNCEMENTSetting out a roadmap for standardisation of organ-on-chip technologyStandardisation of Organ-on-chip technology is an important step towards personalised medicine and animal-free testing.SURVEYNotify your transitional initiativeThe Commission is establishing a dynamic catalogue of 'transitional initiatives' - planned courses of action including one or more activities, outputs and importantly expected outcomes that contribute to the phasing out of animal testing in the regulatory assessment of chemicals. We welcome notification of any initiative that contributes directly or indirectly to this goal.ACTIVITIESCIAO projectMaking biological sense of COVID-19 using the Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOP) knowledge management framework. Want to know more?EURL ECVAM newsletter April 2026Learn more about EURL ECVAM's recent highlights and activities in our latest newsletter.Subscribe to the EURL ECVAM NewsletterOur 'News from EURL ECVAM ' provides updates and highlights of our activities. Subscribe to receive updates by email. Read previous issues.FAQsCheck out our FAQs to get a better understanding of who we are and what we do. Contact us EURL ECVAM NameEURL ECVAMEmailJRC-F3-ENQUIRIESec [dot] europa [dot] euPostal addressVia Enrico Fermi, 2749 21027 Ispra VA Italy
Method validationFind out about the validation process, validated test methods, how to submit a test method and much more.
Biomedical researchRead our reviews on emerging non-animal models used for research in different disease areas.
Three Rs in educationDiscover our education and training activities targeting secondary schools, universities and professional development.
Knowledge sharingAdvancing alternative approaches through better knowledge sharing. Be part of the Three Rs knowledge community!
Roadmap towards phasing out animal testing The work of EURL ECVAM is supporting the development and implementation of the roadmap towards phasing out animal testing for chemical safety assessments.
EURL ECVAM’s laboratory facilityWe have an extensive experimental facility used for the development, validation and standardisation of in vitro methods.
Roadmap towards phasing out animal testing for chemical safety assessments On 1 June 2026, the European Commission presented a roadmap towards phasing out animal testing for chemical safety assessments, which lays out clear, tangible steps to ensure the transition to innovative non-animal approaches.
EURL ECVAM Status Report 2025The 2025 EURL ECVAM Status Report charts major progress of EU efforts towards replacing, reducing and refining (3Rs) animal testing with new approach methodologies (NAMs) across research and regulation.
New 3Rs learning scenario - take your students inside a virtual cell culture lab!EURL ECVAM together with Scientix has developed a new learning scenario to bring the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) of animal use in science into secondary school classrooms across Europe, giving students a hands-on intro to the future of biomedical research.
Transforming chemical safety assessment for better health protectionJRC is contributing to the development of a modernised, science-based approach to identifying the potential of chemicals to cause cancer. The aim is clear: better protection of human health, while reducing reliance on animal testing.
Biomedical Models Hub (BimmoH) for evidence-based decisionThanks to data-driven AI techniques, hundreds of thousands of resources are now available to help enhance biomedical research through cutting-edge human biology-based models, accelerating innovation and reducing reliance on animal testing. An open webinar took place in February 2026 on the Biomedical Models Hub (BimmoH) approach, use cases and community Q&A. Focusing on a comprehensive dataset of scientific articles utilising human biology-based models, such as organ-on-a-chip technologies, 3D cell cultures, and computational models, aimed at facilitating more human-relevant biomedical research. The recording is now available.
Applications for the selection of members of ESAC sub-groupsOn the 25th of October 2022, the JRC launched a continuously open call for applications for the selection of members of the sub-groups operating under the ESAC.
REVIEWJRC review of models and methods used in cardiovascular researchThe review brings together experts and evidence with the aim to improve research outcomes, reduce animal experiments and promote non-animal approaches.
PUBLICATIONESAC Opinion on the Scientific Validity of the RS Comet and RSMN Test MethodsThe EURL ECVAM Scientific Advisory Committee (ESAC) released a new opinion confirming the scientific validity of the Reconstructed human Skin (RS) Comet and Micronucleus (MN) in vitro test methods for genotoxicity assessment.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCEEURL ECVAM Lab - Virtual RealityEURL ECVAM has developed an open access Virtual Reality (VR) teaching resource to support 3Rs (reduction, replacement and refinement) education for high school students. The tool aims to promote alternatives to animal testing in an interactive manner.
NEWS ANNOUNCEMENTSetting out a roadmap for standardisation of organ-on-chip technologyStandardisation of Organ-on-chip technology is an important step towards personalised medicine and animal-free testing.
SURVEYNotify your transitional initiativeThe Commission is establishing a dynamic catalogue of 'transitional initiatives' - planned courses of action including one or more activities, outputs and importantly expected outcomes that contribute to the phasing out of animal testing in the regulatory assessment of chemicals. We welcome notification of any initiative that contributes directly or indirectly to this goal.
ACTIVITIESCIAO projectMaking biological sense of COVID-19 using the Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOP) knowledge management framework.
EURL ECVAM newsletter April 2026Learn more about EURL ECVAM's recent highlights and activities in our latest newsletter.
Subscribe to the EURL ECVAM NewsletterOur 'News from EURL ECVAM ' provides updates and highlights of our activities. Subscribe to receive updates by email. Read previous issues.
